An evening of Acoustic Guitar - Jon Hart & Billy Watman

Sky Arts TV Guitar Star Finalist Billy Watman and award-winning fingerstyle singer-songwriter Jon Hart have teamed up for a doubleheader of acoustic guitar tour in the intimate setting of the Weston Studio at the Squire Performing Arts Centre. They will each perform 45 minute solo sets, and will then share the stage for a duo finale.

Masterclass and Q&A Take this opportunity to join Jon and Billy in an intimate Masterclass and Q&A which will provide a fascinating insight into the intricacies of the acoustic guitar world.

Jon Hart is a UK Fingerstyle singer-songwriter who has received critical acclaim from across the acoustic guitar world for his debut album ‘Reborn’, folk-fingerstyle album ‘Set Adrift’ with Daryl Kellie and three EPs, ‘Defuse, Sticks and Stones’ and ‘Momento’.

He has toured throughout the UK and Europe. Growing up on the Isle of Wight, Jon was from an early age picking up the piano at 5 and then moving on to guitar and singing at 8. After equipping himself with a National Diploma at Platform One and a BA Hons in Music from Southampton University, he has built up strong foundations I Surrey and multi-award-winning functions, in demand guitar tuition and highly recommended session work.

Billy Watman is an award winning 17 year old Anglo-Brazilian classical / fingerstyle guitarist. In 2016, he reached the grand final of ‘Guitar Star’ – a guitar based talent show open to all ages and genres for Sky Arts TV, which was broadcast in Europe, Australia and South America.

His audition for the show, performing ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ at London’s Royal Festival Hall was an internet sensation, altogether his videos have been seen by over 60 million people. Along the way he had the opportunity to perform at iconic UK music venues, including the legendary Abbey Road Studio number 2 of Beatles fame. Billy has twice graced the main stage of Towersey Festival supporting Midge Ure, The Shires and The Proclaimers.

Technical Theatre Summer School

Monday 29 July – Friday 2 August 2019 9am – 4pm

Are you aged 14 – 19yrs old?Do you have a passion for Theatre?Do you want to shine a light or make some noise?

This summer the Squire Performing Arts Centre is offering a technical theatre summer school teaching young people the basics of technical theatre. Students will learn the jobs and responsibilities that happen behind the curtain that are essential for keeping the show running smoothly.

Shortlisted in the Best Show category of the Leicester Comedy Awards 2019, Nottingham based comedian, Scott Bennett, will be appearing at the Squire Performing Arts Centre this autumn. Yorkshire-born Scott will be performing his funny and heartfelt show about sacrifice and self-discovery, jam-packed with killer routines and razor-sharp gags. With a highly likeable, warm and engaging delivery, Scott has rapidly established himself as one of the fastest rising stars on the UK’s comedy circuit today.

His debut hour was nominated for the highly acclaimed Amused Moose Comedy Award in 2015 and he has since gone on to perform as a support act for Michael McIntyre, as well as currently supporting his comedy hero, Rob Brydon, on his latest nationwide tour. Among Scott’s many other accolades he has:

been a regular writer and performer on the Panelbeaterspodcast

been a contributor to BBC Radio 4’s News Quiz

written for various high profile acts such as Jason Manford

Scott is currently writing for Chris Ramsey’s new Comedy Central series, The Chris Ramsey Show, and Jason Manford’s Absolute Radio Show. You will also soon hear Scott featuring on Helen Lederer’s new BBC podcast Knock Knock as well as The Comedy Club on BBC4 Extra with Arthur Smith.

Scott and his wife have also starred in their own self-financed film and web series, the pilot for which, Caravan of Love, was recently selected for the Beeston Film Festival. Their web series Pillow Talk is also available online now!